CN103223226A - Measuring apparatus for golf club - Google Patents

Abstract

A measuring apparatus (10) for a golf club (34) includes: a club camera (20) capable of photographing the golf club; a control part (30) capable of controlling a timing at which the golf club is photographed; and three sensors capable of detecting passage of the golf club (34). The three sensors are defined as a first sensor, a second sensor, and a third sensor in this order from a point close to a position of a golf ball. When a club speed calculated based on the passage of the golf club detected by the second sensor S2 and the third sensor S3 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, the control part generates a trigger signal for starting to photograph the golf club. The measuring apparatus (10) can effectively suppress erroneous generation of the trigger signal.

Description

Measuring device for golf club

This application claims priority to japanese patent application No.2012-014761, filed on day 27, month 1, 2012, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a measuring apparatus for a golf club.

Background

An apparatus capable of measuring the motion of a golf club or a golf ball is known.

Japanese patent application laid-open No.2006-43239 (US 2006-0030432) discloses an apparatus for measuring golf balls. The apparatus has a sensor section that transmits a trigger signal that determines the shot timing of a golf ball. The sensor portion includes two optical sensors. Japanese patent application laid-open No.10-186474 (USP 6,042,483) also discloses an apparatus identical to that in Japanese patent application laid-open No. 2006-43239.

Japanese patent application laid-open No.2005-34619 discloses an apparatus for measuring the motion of a head. In this apparatus, a mark provided on the head or the like is used to measure the motion of the head.

Japanese patent application laid-open No.2000-66315 discloses an apparatus for measuring the motion of a golf club using an image. In this device, two sensors are used. The trigger circuit is active when the first sensor detects passage of the club head. The head speed is calculated from the distance between the first sensor and the second sensor.

Japanese patent application laid-open No.9-215807 discloses a swing motion measuring apparatus that uses images obtained by continuous flash shooting to analyze head motion.

Disclosure of Invention

It has been found that there are new unsolved problems in the prior art. When measuring a swing, the golfer performs a so-called preparation activity (waggle) in addressing the ball in many cases. The preparatory movement is an action for gently moving the head from side to side at the time of address. The movement of the club head in accordance with the activity preparation can be detected by a sensor arranged to generate a trigger signal. By which detection an unsuitable trigger signal is generated. To avoid an inappropriate trigger signal, for example, the trigger signal needs to be sent manually without the use of a sensor. Manually sending the trigger signal will increase the labor and time for the measurement, thereby reducing the convenience of the measurement.

An object of the present invention is to provide a measuring apparatus for a golf club, which reduces measurement errors and has high convenience.

The measuring apparatus for a golf club according to the present invention includes: a club camera capable of photographing a golf club; a control section capable of controlling a timing of photographing a golf club; and three sensors capable of detecting the passage of the golf club. The three sensors are defined as a first sensor, a second sensor, and a third sensor arranged in this order from a point close to the position of the golf ball. In this case, the control section generates a trigger signal for starting photographing of the golf club when the club speed calculated based on the passage of the golf club detected by the second sensor and the third sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.

Preferably, the head moving distance Dh is calculated based on the head position when the second sensor detects the passage of the golf club and the head position when the first sensor detects the passage of the golf club; and calculates the head speed from the head moving distance Dh.

Preferably, the measuring apparatus further includes an information processing section capable of calculating the head speed. The time at which the lever is detected by the second sensor is referred to as T2; the time at which the lever is detected by the first sensor is referred to as T1; the period between time T2 and time T1 is referred to as T12; the head image at time T1 is referred to as H1; the head image at time T2 is referred to as H2; and the head movement distance obtained from the image H1 and the image H2 is referred to as Dh. At this time, the information processing section calculates the head speed based on the head moving distance Dh and the time T12.

Preferably, at least two sensors among the three sensors that are close to each other are light emitting/receiving sensors. Preferably, the directions of the light rays emitted by the two sensors are opposite to each other. Preferably, the two light emitting/receiving sensors are a second sensor and a third sensor.

Preferably, the three sensors are light emitting/receiving sensors. Preferably, the directions of the light rays emitted by the first sensor and the second sensor are opposite to each other. Preferably, the directions of the light rays emitted by the second sensor and the third sensor are opposite to each other.

Preferably, the threshold is equal to or greater than 5m/s and equal to or less than 15 m/s.

Preferably, when a club having a mark provided on the crown of the head is used, the head moving distance Dh can be measured based on the mark.

The present invention can provide a measuring apparatus for a golf club, which reduces measurement errors and has high convenience.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a measuring apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the measuring device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts swing positions;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the positions of three sensors in the measuring device of FIG. 1 and the direction of light rays emitted by the sensors;

fig. 5 is a schematic view for describing a moving distance of the head;

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the positions of three sensors and the directions of light rays emitted from the sensors in the measuring apparatus of the second embodiment; and

fig. 7 is a plan view showing the positions of three sensors and the directions of light rays emitted from the sensors in the measuring apparatus of the third embodiment.

Detailed Description

The present invention will hereinafter be described in accordance with preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Themeasuring apparatus 10 shown in fig. 1 includes a base 12, asupport rod 14, abase plate 16, a tee (tee) 18, aclub camera 20, a ball camera 2, a first sensor S1 (S1 a, S1 b), a second sensor S2 (S2 a, S2 b), a third sensor S3 (S3 a, S3 b), a strobe light 28 (28 a, 28 b), a strobe light 29 (29 a, 29 b), acontrol portion 30, and aninformation processing portion 32.

Agolf club 34 and agolf ball 36 are shown in fig. 1 along with themeasuring device 10. Thegolf club 34 includes ahead 34a, ashaft 34b, and a grip (not shown). The address posture of the right-handed golfer is shown by the two-dot chain line in fig. 1. Thegolf ball 36 is launched in the left direction toward the golfer in the address position. In the present application, for convenience of description, unless otherwise specified, description will be made in terms of the lateral direction and the front-rear direction of the player in the address posture, the lateral direction being defined as the front-rear direction and the front-rear direction of the player being defined as the lateral direction.

Thesupport rods 14 andbase plate 16 are positioned and secured to the base 12. Thesupport rods 14 extend upwardly from the base 12. Aball seat 18 is positioned and mounted to thebase plate 16. Aclub camera 20 is positioned and mounted to an upper portion of thesupport pole 14. A ball camera 22 is positioned in front of thetee 18. The ball camera 22 is positioned and mounted to a side surface of thesubstrate 16. Theclub camera 20 and the ball camera 22 directed toward thegolf ball 36 are arranged so that theclub camera 20 and the ball camera 22 can take a picture.

The first sensor S1 is a light emitting/receiving sensor. The first sensor S1 includes a light emitter S1a and a light receiver S1 b. The light emitter S1a is disposed on one side surface of thesubstrate 16. The light receiver S1b is disposed on the other side surface of thesubstrate 16, sandwiching thesubstrate 16 between the light emitter S1a and the light receiver S1 b. The light receiver S1b is disposed behind the golfer' S feet.

The second sensor S2 is a light emitting/receiving sensor. The second sensor S2 includes a light emitter S2a and a light receiver S2 b. The light emitter S2a is disposed on one side surface of thesubstrate 16. The light receiver S2b is disposed on the other side surface of thesubstrate 16. The light receiver S2b is disposed behind the golfer' S feet.

The third sensor S3 is a light emitting/receiving sensor. The third sensor S3 includes a light emitter S3a and a light receiver S3 b. The light emitter S3a is disposed on one side surface of thesubstrate 16. The light emitter S3b is disposed on the other side surface of thesubstrate 16. The light receiver S3b is disposed behind the golfer' S feet.

The first sensor S1 is disposed behind the position of the ball (to the right of the position of the ball when viewed by a right-handed player). The second sensor S2 is disposed behind the position of the ball. The third sensor S3 is disposed behind the position of the ball.

The second sensor S2 is disposed behind the first sensor S1. The third sensor S3 is disposed behind the second sensor S2.

Other sensors may also be provided. The measuringdevice 10 may have more than four sensors.

During the downswing, thehead 34a or theshaft 34b of thegolf club 34 passes between the light emitter S3a and the light receiver S3 b. Then, thehead 34a or theshaft 34b passes between the light emitter S2a and the light receiver S2 b. Then, thehead 34a or theshaft 34b passes between the light emitter S1a and the light receiver S1 b. Then, thehead 34a or theshaft 34b reaches the impact. That is, at the time of the downswing, thelever 34 is detected by the third sensor S3. After that, thelever 34 is detected by the second sensor S2. Thereafter, thelever 34 is detected by the first sensor S1.

A flashlight 28 (28 a, 28 b) is mounted to a central portion of thesupport rod 14 in the vertical direction. Theflash 28 is disposed below theclub camera 20. Thecontrol portion 30 is mounted to the base 12.

Point Pb shown in fig. 2 represents the center point of theball 36. The point Pc represents the center point of the lens of theclub camera 20. The straight line GL represents a ground plane on which the golfer stands. The one-dot chain line Z indicates a vertical line passing through the center point Pb in the vertical direction. The one-dot chain line C indicates a straight line passing through the center point Pb and the center point Pc. The angle θ C represents an intersection angle between the vertical line Z and the straight line C. The double-headed arrow Hc indicates the height between the ground plane and the center point Pc. In the present embodiment, the height Hc is 1.1m and the angle θ c is 15 degrees. In view of obtaining a head image advantageous for measuring the head moving distance Dh described below, the height Hc is preferably equal to or greater than 0.9m and equal to or less than 1.2 m. The angle θ c is preferably 70 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less.

Although not shown in the drawings, thecontrol part 30 is connected to theclub camera 20, the ball camera 22, the first sensor S1, the second sensor S2, the third sensor S3, theflash 28, the flash 29, and theinformation processing part 32. Thecontrol part 30 may transmit a photographing start signal to theclub camera 20 and the ball camera 22. Thecontrol part 30 may receive image signals photographed by theclub camera 20 and the ball camera 22. Thecontrol portion 30 may receive detection signals of thehead 34a or theshaft 34b from the sensors S1, S2, and S3. Thecontrol portion 30 may transmit a light emission start signal to theflash lamps 28 and 29.

Although not shown in the drawing, theinformation processing section 32 includes a monitor as an output section, an interface board as a data input section, a memory, a CPU, and a hard disk. Theinformation processing section 32 may include a keyboard and a mouse. A general-purpose computer can be used as theinformation processing section 32.

The hard disk stores programs. The rewritable memory includes a storage area and a work area for programs and various data called from the hard disk. The CPU can read a program stored in the hard disk. The CPU may execute programs in a work area of the memory. The CPU can execute various processes according to the program.

The rod image data may be input into the interface board. Further, the stick image data, the ball image data, and the synchronization data of the two image data may be input into the interface board. These input data are output to the CPU. The CPU executes various processes and outputs predetermined data of the lever action value, the ball action value, and a calculated value calculated from these action values to the monitor. Predetermined data is stored in the hard disk.

Fig. 3 shows the position where the golfer swings thegolf club 34. The position of fig. 3 (a) is an address ball. The position of fig. 3 (b) is a swing top (hereinafter, referred to as a top). The position of fig. 3 (d) is an impact. The impact is the position at which theclub head 34a collides with thegolf ball 36. The position of fig. 3 (c) is a downswing where the impact is caused from above. The position of fig. 3 (e) is complete. The player's swing moves continuously from the address position to the top of swing position, from the top of swing position through the downswing to the impact position, and from the impact position to the finish position. The swing is finished in the finish position.

Fig. 4 shows the positional relationship between theball 36 and the sensors S1, S2, S3. In the first sensor S1, a light beam b1 is emitted from the light emitter S1a and directed to the light receiver S1 b. In the second sensor S2, a light beam b2 is emitted from the light emitter S2a and directed to the light receiver S2 b. In the third sensor S3, a light beam b3 is emitted from the light emitter S3a and directed to the light receiver S3 b. In the drawings (fig. 4 and the like) of the present application, light beams b1, b2, and b3 are shown by thick lines. Light beams b1, b2, and b3 are indicated by arrows in order to understand the direction of the emitted light. As shown in fig. 4 and the like, the three sensors are a first sensor S1, a second sensor S2, and a third sensor S3 arranged in this order from the point of approach to theball 36. The first sensor S1 and the second sensor S2 are close to each other. The second sensor S2 and the third sensor S3 are close to each other.

Preferably, laser beams are used for the light beams b1, b2, andb 3.

When the light beam b1 is blocked, the first sensor S1 detects the passage of thehead 34a (or theshaft 34 b). When the light beam b2 is blocked, the second sensor S2 detects the passage of thehead 34a (or theshaft 34 b). When the light beam b3 is blocked, the third sensor S3 detects the passage of thehead 34a (or theshaft 34 b).

The first sensor S1 and the second sensor S2 are used to measure the head speed. The second sensor S2 and the third sensor S3 are used to generate trigger signals. Thus, the second sensor S2 serves two purposes. That is, the second sensor S2 is used to measure the head speed, and is also used to generate a trigger signal. Therefore, the number of sensors is limited.

The measuringdevice 10 has two sensors S2 and S3 for generating a trigger signal. The second sensor S2 and the third sensor S3 function as sensors for generating trigger signals. The measuringdevice 10 enters a measuring state in response to the trigger signal. When the measuringapparatus 10 enters the measuring state, thecontrol section 30 sets the first sensor S1 to the detectable state. Therefore, when the head speed calculated from the second sensor S2 and the third sensor S3 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, the measuringapparatus 10 generates a trigger signal.

The time at which the lever 34 (thehead 34 a) is detected by the first sensor S1 is defined as T1; the time at which the lever 34 (thehead 34 a) is detected by the second sensor S2 is defined as T2; and, the time at which the lever 34 (thehead 34 a) is detected by the third sensor S3 is defined as T3. At this time, when the lever speed (head speed) calculated from the time T2 and the time T3 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, thecontrol section 30 transmits a trigger signal to start shooting (measurement).

In the swing measurement, the golfer addresses the ball. Many golfers perform a preparatory activity while addressing the ball. The club (head and shaft) is moved by preparing for movement (see fig. 4). Even when the golfer does not perform a preparatory activity, the club is moved to the address state in a preparatory stage for address. At this time, the rod moves from the outside of the measurement area to the ball address position. In the prior art, the trigger signal is sometimes erroneously generated due to the movement of the lever. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, by setting the threshold value, the trigger signal is not generated when the moving speed is lower than the threshold value. Therefore, erroneous generation of the trigger signal is suppressed. In this embodiment, the automation of the trigger signal can be accurately realized.

Typically, the trigger signal is generated, for example, manually to prevent erroneous generation of the trigger signal. Specifically, for example, the measurer presses a switch to generate a trigger signal when the swing approaches the peak. In this embodiment, a manually generated trigger signal may not be required. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the measurement operation, reduce the measurement error, and improve the measurement speed.

In view of suppressing the erroneous generation of the trigger signal, the threshold value is preferably equal to or greater than 5m/s, more preferably equal to or greater than 8m/s, and further more preferably equal to or greater than 10 m/s. When considering the head speed at the time of normal measurement, the threshold value is preferably equal to or less than 15m/s, more preferably equal to or less than 12 m/s. However, the threshold value may be adjusted to an appropriate value for each golfer. For example, the threshold value may be set high for a golfer who moves his club head quickly in the preparatory activity. The threshold value may also be set high for a golfer having a high head speed.

In response to the transmission of the trigger signal, themeasurement device 10 enters a measurement state. In the measurement state, thehead 34a (or theshaft 34 b) blocks the light beam b 2. Then, thehead 34a (or theshaft 34 b) blocks the light beam b 1. That is, in the measurement state, thehead 34a (or theshaft 34 b) is detected by the second sensor S2. Then, thehead 34a (or theshaft 34 b) is detected by the first sensor S1. The measuringapparatus 10 calculates the head speed from these detection results. Theinformation processing section 32 calculates the head speed.

During the backswing, the club head may be moved in a direction opposite to the downswing. During the backswing, the club head is moved in the opposite direction to the downswing. In this case, the head may be moved from the second sensor S2 to the third sensor S3. Even when moving in the direction opposite to the downswing (moving in the backswing direction) at any head speed, no trigger signal is generated. The speed in the threshold is the speed in the down swing direction. In other words, when the speed in the back swing direction is defined as negative and the speed in the down swing direction is defined as positive, the speed of the threshold is positive.

The distance between the detection position of the first sensor S1 (light beam b 1) and the detection position of the second sensor S2 (light beam b 2) is shown by a double-headed arrow D1 in fig. 5. In general, the head speed is calculated from the distance D1. However, it has been found that the accuracy in this calculation method is reduced.

When therod 34 passes the sensors S1 and S2, any portion of therod 34 blocks the light beams b1 and b 2. Hereinafter, the portion that blocks the light beam is also referred to as a blocked portion. The shielding portion may be thehead 34a or theshaft 34 b. The shielding portion may be a socket of thehead 34a, a heel of thehead 34a or a toe of thehead 34 a. The shielding portion may be a crown portion of thehead 34a or a sole portion of thehead 34 a. That is, the blocking portion is not necessarily constant.

There are great differences between individuals who swing golfers. For example, the trajectory of the head differs based on the golfer. Some golfers have an outside-in swing path and others have an inside-out swing path. Some golfers have a swing path for hitting a ball upward, and others have a swing path for hitting a ball downward. The difference between swing paths may cause the fluctuation of the blocking portion. For example, for a golfer who is likely to hit down, it is the shaft that is likely to be detected by the sensor rather than the head. The posture of the head near impact also differs depending on the golfer. Although the heel end of thehead 34a is the shielded portion in fig. 5, for some golfers, the shielded portion is located on the toe side of the head, and for other golfers, the shielded portion is located at the center of the head. For some golfers, the shield portion may be a crown or a sole. The variety of the shielded portions may cause measurement errors. For example, when the shielding portion in the second sensor S2 is different from the shielding portion in the first sensor S1, the conventional head speed according to the distance D1 tends to cause an error.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the head speed is calculated not from the distance D1 but from the head moving distance Dh.

As shown in fig. 5, the head image at time T1 is defined as H1, and the head image at time T2 is defined as H2. The distance Dh is a head movement distance obtained from the image H1 and the image H2.

The head speed is calculated from the head moving distance Dh. That is, when the period between the time T2 and the time T1 is defined as T12, the head speed is calculated from the head moving distance Dh and the time T12. An example of the calculation formula of the head speed is Dh/T12.

In view of accuracy, it is preferable to measure the head movement distance Dh at a reference position Ph on the head. Themark 38 is preferably provided on thehead 34a in view of making the position Ph clear. Themark 38 is provided at a position such that themark 38 can be captured in the head image. When thehead 34a has a crown, themark 38 is preferably provided on the crown. In this embodiment, theindicia 38 is an elongated strip. In the present embodiment, the center position of themark 38 in the longitudinal direction is defined as a reference position Ph (see fig. 5). The number ofmarks 38 may be one or more. For example, a plurality of point-like markers 38 may be used. Examples of the shape of the dot-like mark 38 include a circle and a rectangle. For example,indicia 38 may be provided on both the toe side and the heel side. In this case, the midpoint of the line segment connecting themarkers 38 may be the reference position Ph.

Fig. 6 shows the directions of light beams b1, b2, and b3 in the measuring apparatus of the second embodiment. The only difference from the measuringdevice 10 of the first embodiment is the direction of the emitted rays of the light beam b1 and thelight beam b 3.

As shown in fig. 6, in the present embodiment, the directions of the light rays emitted from the first sensor S1 and the second sensor S2 are opposite to each other. The directions of the light rays emitted from the second sensor S2 and the third sensor S3 are opposite to each other.

Fig. 7 shows the directions of light beams b1, b2, and b3 in the measuring apparatus of the third embodiment. The only difference from the measuringdevice 10 of the first embodiment is the direction of the light emitted by the light beam b 2. All of the light beams b1, b2, and b3 in the embodiment of fig. 7 emit light rays in opposite directions compared to the embodiment of fig. 6.

Even in the embodiment of fig. 7, the directions of the light rays emitted from the first and second sensors S1 and S2 are opposite to each other. The directions of the light rays emitted from the second sensor S2 and the third sensor S3 are opposite to each other.

As shown in the embodiments of fig. 6 and 7, it has been found that sensor failure can be prevented by reversing the direction of light emitted by adjacent sensors.

When light emitted from one sensor is received by another sensor, the sensor malfunctions. For example, when the light emitted from the light emitter S2a of the second sensor S2 is received by the light receiver S3b of the third sensor S3, the sensor malfunctions. By reversing the direction of light emitted by adjacent sensors, malfunctions can be prevented.

When the sensors are close to each other, a malfunction is liable to occur. Therefore, it is preferable that the directions of the light rays emitted from the at least two sensors are opposite to each other, and the interval between the two sensors is narrow among the three sensors.

Hereinafter, an application example of theswing measuring apparatus 10 will be described. In this application example, atape 38 as a mark is applied to thehead 34a of thegolf club 34. The longitudinal direction of theband 38 is parallel to the face surface of thegolf club 34. Thegolf ball 36 is set on thetee 18. The golfer has agolf club 34 and addresses the ball.

The threshold is set so that no trigger signal is generated even when the player is performing a preparatory activity in addressing the ball. Although the head is also moved by preparing for address of the ball or the like, the threshold value is set so that the trigger signal is not generated by the movement of the head as well.

The golfer begins to swing thegolf club 34. The third sensor S3 and the second sensor S2 detect thestick 34 during the period from the downswing to the impact. The club speed (head speed, etc.) is measured based on these detections. When the measured value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, thecontrol section 30 transmits a trigger signal and the measuringapparatus 10 becomes the measurement state.

The detection signal of thelever 34 in the second sensor S2 is output to thecontrol section 30. At time T2 when thecontrol section 30 receives the detection signal, thecontrol section 30 outputs a light emission start signal to thestrobe light 28 a. Thestrobe light 28a emits light in response to the signal. The head image H2 at time T2 is obtained by light emission.

Then, the first sensor S1 detects thegolf club 34. The detection signal of the first sensor S1 is output to thecontrol section 30. At time T1 when thecontrol section 30 receives the detection signal, thecontrol section 30 outputs a light emission start signal to thestrobe light 28 b. In response to the signal, theflash lamp 28b emits light. The head image H1 at time T1 is obtained by the emitted light.

Theclub camera 20 captures the motion of thegolf club 34. Theclub camera 20 includes a plurality of shutters. Theclub camera 20 can continuously take images at a high speed at predetermined intervals within the shooting range. Two or more image signals are obtained by continuous shooting. These image signals include a signal of the head image H1 and a signal of the head image H2.

The head moving distance Dh is measured from the signals of the head image H1 and the head image H2. As described above, the head speed is calculated from the head moving distance Dh and the time T12.

The ball camera 22 photographs the motion of thegolf ball 36. The ball camera 22 includes a plurality of shutters. The ball camera 22 performs high-speed continuous shooting at predetermined time intervals. Image data at a plurality of time points is obtained by continuous shooting. Theinformation processing section 32 calculates a predetermined motion value of the ball from the ball image data. Hereinafter, for example, values of the ball velocity, launch angle, yaw angle, backspin velocity, and yaw velocity are calculated. Using these images, the rotation speed and the emission angle can be calculated. Although not shown in the drawings, a plurality of dots are applied to the surface of thegolf ball 36. From the amounts of movement of the positions of two of these points, the backspin speed and the yaw speed can be accurately measured. The spin rate is calculated from the position of thegolf ball 36 and the time period interval for shooting.

Thecontrol section 30 outputs the time data, the stick image data, and the ball image data to theinformation processing section 32. Theinformation processing section 32 calculates a predetermined motion value of the stick from the stick image data. As described above, examples of the stick motion value include the head speed.

The calculated stick motion value is stored in theinformation processing section 32 together with the ball motion value and the time data. Theinformation processing section 32 displays a predetermined motion value on the monitor based on the lever motion value and the ball motion value.

As described above, the distance between the detection position of the first sensor S1 (light beam b 1) and the detection position of the second sensor S2 (light beam b 2) is shown by the double-headed arrow D1 in fig. 5. The distance D1 is preferably equal to or greater than 80mm, more preferably equal to or greater than 90mm, in view of the measurement accuracy of the head trajectory. Considering that the rod motion is measured immediately before the impact, the distance D1 is preferably equal to or less than 120mm, more preferably equal to or less than 110 mm.

The distance between the detection position of the second sensor S2 (light beam b 2) and the detection position of the third sensor S3 (light beam b 3) is shown by a double-headed arrow D2 in fig. 5. The distance D2 is preferably equal to or greater than 10mm, more preferably equal to or greater than 15mm, in view of the measurement accuracy of the head speed (threshold value). In view of reducing the size of the apparatus, the distance D2 is preferably equal to or less than 30mm, more preferably equal to or less than 25 mm.

When preferred values of the distance D1 and the distance D2 are considered, D2/D1 is preferably equal to or greater than 0.08, more preferably equal to or greater than 0.13. When preferred values of the distance D1 and the distance D2 are considered, D2/D1 is preferably equal to or less than 0.38, more preferably equal to or less than 0.25.

When preferred values of distance D1 and distance D2 are considered, distance D2 is preferably less than distance D1. Because the distance D2 is relatively small, the light beam b2 may be received by the light receiver S3b, and the light beam b3 may be received by the light receiver S2 b. In this regard, in particular, the directions of the light rays emitted by the second sensor S2 and the third sensor S3 of the three sensors are preferably opposite to each other.

The method as described above can be used for measuring all rods, such as wood-type rods, iron-type rods and hybrid-type rods.

The foregoing description is by way of illustrative example only, and various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (14)

1. A measuring apparatus for a golf club, comprising:

a club camera capable of photographing the golf club;

a control portion capable of controlling a timing of photographing the golf club; and

three sensors capable of detecting the passage of the golf club; wherein

The three sensors are defined as a first sensor, a second sensor, and a third sensor arranged in order from a point close to a position of the golf ball, and the control part generates a trigger signal for starting photographing of the golf club when a club speed calculated from the path of the golf club detected by the second sensor and the third sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.

2. The measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a head moving distance Dh is calculated from a head position when the second sensor detects the passage of the golf club and a head position when the first sensor detects the passage of the golf club; and calculating a head speed from the head moving distance Dh.

3. The measuring apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an information processing section capable of calculating a head speed; wherein,

the time at which the rod is detected by the second sensor is called T2;

the time at which the rod is detected by the first sensor is called T1;

the period between the time T2 and the time T1 is referred to as T12;

the head image at the time T1 is referred to as H1;

the head image at the time T2 is referred to as H2; and is

The head moving distance obtained from the image H1 and the image H2 is referred to as Dh;

the information processing section calculates the head speed based on the head moving distance Dh and the time T12.

4. The measurement device of claim 1,

at least two sensors among the three sensors, which are close to each other, are light emitting/receiving sensors; and is

The two sensors emit light rays in opposite directions to each other.

5. The measuring apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said two light emitting/receiving sensors are said second sensor and said third sensor.

6. The measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the three sensors are light emitting/receiving sensors;

the directions of the light rays emitted by the first sensor and the second sensor are opposite to each other; and is

The directions of the light rays emitted by the second sensor and the third sensor are opposite to each other.

7. The measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the threshold value is equal to or greater than 5m/s and equal to or less than 15 m/s.

8. The measuring apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when a club having a mark provided on a crown portion of the head is used, the head moving distance Dh is measured based on the mark.

9. The measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a distance between the detection position of the first sensor and the detection position of the second sensor is defined as D1, the distance D1 is 80mm or more and 120mm or less.

10. The measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a distance between the detection position of the second sensor and the detection position of the third sensor is defined as D2, the distance D2 is 10mm or more and 30mm or less.

11. The measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a distance between the detected position of the first sensor and the detected position of the second sensor is defined as D1 and a distance between the detected position of the second sensor and the detected position of the third sensor is defined as D2, the distance D2 is smaller than the distance D1.

12. The measurement device of claim 11, wherein D2/D1 is greater than or equal to 0.08 and less than or equal to 0.38.

13. The measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a straight line passing through a center point of a shot and a center point of a lens of the club camera is defined as a straight line C, an angle θ C between the straight line C and a vertical line Z is 70 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less.

14. The measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a height between a ground plane and a center point of a lens of the club camera is defined as Hc, the height Hc is 0.9m or more and 1.2m or less.

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